The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1887-05-19
5o2I157sI1l57
FLoRIDIAN.l
Okeech0bee Drainage, Etc.
FORT MEADE, Fla, Nay 10, 1887

FORT MEADE Fla, Nay IS, 1887.
Editors F1orsdian: ask for space in your
paper, and respectfully ask you to publish the
following: l notice In a supplement to your
paper in April an article purportng TO be q reply
TO the Oksechobee Commission report over the
signature Of Mr.. H. B. Duval, which partakes as
much of reply to the farmers, cattemen and
old residents as to Messrs. Davidson, Bradfor I'd
and Daniel.
DE mentions about seven times In an unfavor-
able way, and rather discourteously, the
farmers, cattlemen and old residents, and urges
with some vehemency the unreliableness of the
evidence obtained by the Commissioners from
them, which brings them to the front in self.
defense
We regret that any man of Mr.. Duvals stand.
ing, with the great learning he displays In his
elaborate defense, should force us to the painful
task of even self-defense. But it 10 q we'll known
fact that the old settlers of South Florida have
remained silent under severe censure and
criticism now for many years, unduly inflicted
by newspaper squibbe, the "newcomers," and
the public generally, and this silence NAV be
construed into an implied admission that we
deserved it. but we were adjusted by grander
purpose.
We are not and have not been hostile TO any
individual, company enterprise; We favor
immigration, sanction and endorse the land sale
to Mr.. Disston, and give the efforts and success
OF the drainage scheme our best wishes, Mr..
Duvars opinion to the contrary notwithstand-
ing; and when he refers TO the enemies OF the
Drainage Company, We assert that We do not
know who they are.
No doubt, Il would afford Mr. Duvsl some
relief in his dilemma could he prove tho un-
reliableness OF US oil ~ well rs to drown our
voices and to stop our mouths, but we take
beyond his ability. He may say that the State
is indebted to US for the many million acres of
high dry land obtained under the swamp act,
but take pleasure again 10 informing him that
he cannot ind an old settler in South Florida
who 10 or has been the agent or the instrument
in obtaining directly or indirectly from the
United States government one acre, either wet
or dry, and defy him to prove it.
We say and think we can prove that the In
ternal improvement Board conveyed to the
OkeechObee Land Company many thousands of
acres Of land whose waters run to Peace Greek
and still many moro thousands which Law from
twenty to thirty miles from tho KIssimmee River.
and whose waters have 10 run including the
winding course seventy-ive or one hundred
miles before reaching the Kissimmee River the
streams are choked with brush. logs, cane, grass,
water.lettuce, ETC. The land u - wet q il was
twenty i've years ago with same rain-falN. with
no evidences of the effects of drainage upon II.
No man possessing small degree of common
sense. need call to his support bis geological or
other textbooks, or resort TO fine theoretical
process. to truthfully determine this matter.
No amount OF labor performed between Okee-
chobee and the Gulf will benefit this section In
the least, which lies IL townships 80, %. "a, IS.
and ranges ~, % and part Of 90 Istapoga Lake
ls about 40 large 80 any In the State, except
Okeechobee; townships 86 and 90, ranges 80 and
81 corner about the centre. the lake being about
twelve miles 10 diameter; the waters Of town
ships 80. 80, "a, 80 and ranges 30 and part Of %
centre In this lake, and In heavy freshets floods
the big Saw grass to the southeast, al the way
TO Okeechobee. Until this lake IL lowered con.
Arbuckle River cleared OF logs, brush, cane
grass water.leltuce and Willows the land will re-
main unreclaimed; adjacent, and on oil the tribu.
taries OF Iseap0ga Lake. no evidences Of recla-
nation are visible. The Same tracts that were
overnowed twenty-five years ago are overlooked
now, and that which 10 dry now was dry twenty
nvs years ago.
1t 10 needless for Mr.. Duval or any other man
70 try BY any process Of reasoning TO prove
those lands reclaimed; truth 10 truth, and needs
but little to support it. A falsehood 10 q false-
hood, and It requires great deal OF bolsterine.
much theorizing and . multiplicity Of words 10
show II 10 any other light than fAlse for
TACT" What here ~ mean 70 apply only to
!ow1ships %. 81, %, -, a and %, and ranges
v, pS, -, and further ny net-sxcept that
when the integrity Of South Florida crscksv d
stacked, you may count mo In.
Very truly,
g. W. HnNDnY.